Paper Effigy Shop

Below, Jian Yao looked up at the scene, then immediately turned his eyes to Gu Xiu'er, surprise flickering in their depths.

"This little girl is clever!"

He had long noticed the strange look in Gu Xiu'er's eyes whenever she looked at the eldest young master and had been on guard against her.

It was not only him—even Zhang Yi had likely made preparations. If the girl had tried to be clever and seize Zhang Jian hostage, the two of them would have died today without even a place to be buried.

But by directly yielding, although they might fall into the Zhang family's hands, there was still a chance of survival.

Especially since the Upper Origin Sect's West Wind Swordsman, Wang Yuanlang, whom she had mentioned, wielded considerable influence in Fengxi County and was a renowned giant of the righteous path.

Perhaps Zhang Yi would change his mind for Wang Yuanlang's sake.

Bang!

With an explosive crash, the enormous dark-jade palm in Zhang Yi's hand struck Duanmu Yan squarely, blasting him into the house below.

Zhang Yi's figure flickered, and like a ghost, he appeared at Gu Xiu'er's side. His cold gaze fixed upon her.

"What does Wang Yuanlang amount to? If I, Zhang Yi, want to kill someone, do you think he can protect them?"

He slowly raised his hand. Just then, a voice rang out.

"Brother Yi, since these two youngsters already know their mistake, give them a chance. Though they were in the wrong first, my Zhang family has always treated others kindly and is willing to leave a way out in all things!"

From the shadows, Zhang Yi emerged under Zhang Hu's escort.

His bearing was stern and imposing; even without anger, he inspired awe.

Zhang Jian remained expressionless at the side. He glanced at the solemn-faced Zhang Yi and knew that while Gu Xiu'er's final words had not moved Zhang Yi, they had moved the old man of his family.

It seemed this West Wind Swordsman she spoke of carried some weight and had stirred Zhang Yi's thoughts.

"Since the clan head has spoken, these two thieves shall be left to the clan head's disposal!"

Zhang Yi flashed away from the rooftop and landed beside Zhang Jian, giving him a slight nod.

Sensing the pure strand of inner breath endlessly circulating through Zhang Yi's body, a strand that seemed to resonate with the air at every moment and distort the surrounding aura, Zhang Jian's heart stirred.

He knew this was the unique sign of an internal cultivation martial artist who had reached the Innate stage.

At the Nourishing Essence stage, one had to continuously use rich inner breath to strengthen one's essence, vitality, and spirit, bridging the connection to heaven and earth and using the Innate to nourish the physique. That was the true mystery of the Innate stage.

Zhang Jian still understood little of the mysteries of the Innate realm, but that did not prevent him from deeply recognizing the power of such strength.

No wonder Jian Yao fears Uncle Yi so much. Uncle Yi can be considered part of the family's foundation—a trump card!

Zhang Jian inwardly sighed.

Although he had only just begun practicing martial arts, he knew that internal cultivation martial artists at the Innate stage were among that tiny handful of "supreme experts" in the martial world.

Such Innate martial artists were exceedingly rare. Only major powers with immense wealth and influence could recruit one or two.

Looks like I still need to train properly. The outside world really is a little too dangerous!

This thought flashed through his mind.

"This junior, Gu Xiu'er, thanks the Zhang family head on behalf of Senior Brother Duanmu for his magnanimity!"

Gu Xiu'er gave a slight bow, then hurriedly flew into the pile of ruins. Her jade-like face beneath the white veil had gone somewhat pale. Duanmu Yan had taken Zhang Yi's final blow head-on, and whether he lived or died was still unknown. She could not help but worry.

Zhang Yi looked toward Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi merely shook his head slightly.

"Whether he lives depends on his own fate!"

He had not deliberately held back in that final strike.

Zhang Yi shook his head inwardly, thinking only, I hope he doesn't die!

His gaze fell upon Gu Xiu'er's graceful figure, and something flickered in his eyes.

"Her surname is Gu!"

Outside Fanglin Residence, the other estate tenants and patrolling servants gradually gathered around. Zhang Yi waved his hand and dismissed them.

At the same time, he called over several people to help Gu Xiu'er carry Duanmu Yan out.

Duanmu Yan's face was the color of gold paper, and frost covered his body.

His breathing was already extremely weak.

"Senior Brother!" Gu Xiu'er hurriedly took a secret medicinal treasure passed down by her sect from her robes and had Duanmu Yan swallow it, doing all she could to preserve his life.

Once everyone else had dispersed, Zhang Yi kept only Zhang Yi and Zhang Jian behind. After some discussion, they decided to temporarily detain the two of them and wait for further news.

Surely whoever stood behind them would make a move soon.

The next day

The morning light was faint.

The paper effigy shop was in West City. Zhang Jian brought Zhang Lu, two others, and a group of household servants to the shop to purchase cinnabar and joss paper money.

There was a Liu Family Alley here, with quite a few shops selling rice, flour, cloth, and other goods nearby.

The place Zhang Jian was heading to stood beside a great willow tree.

Zhang's Paper Effigy Shop.

In front of the paper effigy shop stood numerous lifelike paper figures, their cheeks peach-red and their expressions round and endearing.

Yet strangely, none of these paper figures had eyes. Even so, they sent a chill through anyone who saw them.

The shop owner was called Paper Figure Zhang. He was hunched over, with graying hair.

Zhang Jian stepped forward and called out directly.

"Uncle Zhang, do you have any new items lately?"

Paper Figure Zhang was surnamed Zhang as well, making him of Zhang Jian's clan, though he was not a local. He had fled here as a refugee over twenty years ago and gradually gained a foothold in Liu Family Alley through his exceptional skill in crafting paper effigies.

"So it's Master Juren. Please come in. We've saved them all for you!"

Paper Figure Zhang's voice was hoarse, but there was a trace of kindness between his brows, as though he always wore a smile.

"Then I certainly have to take a look!"

Zhang Jian perked up and followed Paper Figure Zhang into the rear hall.

From afar in the rear hall, he could see a small red shrine. He did not know what deity it enshrined; it was covered by a red cloth, while the scent of burning sandalwood drifted from afar.

It lent a trace of human warmth to the gloomy paper effigy shop.

Zhang Jian had already spotted the new items. They were lotus palace lanterns, red and white interwoven, each blossom enchantingly beautiful.

Upon closer inspection, they were plump and round!

Paper Figure Zhang introduced them with a smile.

"These are the Spirit-Calming Lotuses I have newly created. Look at these sacrificial inscriptions—they are exceedingly refined. I specially invited an expert from Phoenix Roost Temple to write these soul-soothing and spirit-calming scriptures himself. They have been consecrated by that expert!"

"What do they do?"

"Not only can they soothe one's departed ancestors, they can also have the ancestors protect the family, bringing fortune and longevity. If Eldest Young Master burns these for the late forefathers of the Zhang residence, they will surely bless Master Juren to pass the metropolitan examination and become a jinshi!"

Zhang Jian laughed. This Paper Figure Zhang certainly knew how to speak. He nodded at once and had Zhang Lu step forward to wrap them up, while the household servants came forward to pay the silver.

Seeing Zhang Jian buy up the lotuses so readily, Paper Figure Zhang's smile deepened.

Carrying baskets on their backs, the group soon left Zhang's Paper Effigy Shop.

Paper Figure Zhang watched the group depart, his gaze remaining fixed on Zhang Jian, flickering uncertainly. After a moment, it calmed, and he silently returned to tidying the paper figures outside his shop alone.

Before leaving, Zhang Jian glanced in the direction of the paper effigy shop, an odd look on his face.

For some reason, this visit to the paper effigy shop had left him with a distinct feeling that something was different from before.

It was still as cool and gloomy as ever, but this time, he sensed a chillier cold—as though needles had pierced beneath his skin.